Top 10 Matches Of The 2010s
What was the greatest match of the past decade?
Bell to bell, was this the best decade of pro wrestling?
Possibly so, judging by star ratings and social media buzz, as well as the thunderous reactions of crowds throughout the United States and around the world. The depth of the talent pool industry-wide is deeper than it’s ever been, leading to excellent matches and tremendous stories in nearly every promotion.
While everyone stepped it up another notch, these were the 10 greatest matches of the decade.
10. Final Deletion
Unlike any other match that came before it, Final Deletion was a cinematic experience. Impact Wrestling sent advance copies of the match to different members of the industry to hype it up on social media, which was a brilliant strategy that paid off in spades. The Hardy Boyz’ bizarre, whimsical battle on their property brought the company back to relevancy, albeit briefly. It also rejuvenated their characters and redefined what pro wrestling could be.
9. Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes (Double Or Nothing)
The match that put AEW on the map. After the two brothers put on a stinker in WWE, they proved the doubters wrong that they could steal the show. With a roster known for “workrate” and the number of stars their matches receive, it was refreshing to see a good, ol’ fashioned fight. Dustin gushing blood certainly added to the excitement because it’s been so long since we’ve seen a crimson mask on TV/pay-per-view.
8. John Cena vs. AJ Styles (Royal Rumble 2017)
The electric atmosphere of the Alamodome played a major factor in this match, as John Cena challenging for his 16th world title felt like a monumental deal. However, AJ Styles had Cena’s number in all of their previous encounters, so if anyone could stop Super Cena, it was the Phenomenal One. Cena displayed unprecedented ruthless aggression, emptying his arsenal and even busting out some new moves. Styles reciprocated, locking in the Calf Crusher and hitting two Styles Clashes. Unfortunately, Cena’s no-sell of the second one diminished the authenticity of the bout, and of course, the result still feels like a bad dream.
7. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn (NXT TakeOver: Dallas)
Somehow, Shinsuke Nakamura’s debut has been the peak of his WWE/NXT run. The crowd was so fired up for his arrival that a “Holy Shit” chant broke out during his entrance! There was a little bit of everything in this showdown: chain wrestling, high-flying, submissions, showmanship, even a long hockey fight of trading elbow shots until blood trickled down Nakamura’s nose. The winner was academic, but when you hear “Fight Forever,” you know you’ve seen something special.
6. Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate (NXT TakeOver: Chicago)
If there was ever a match where both participants instantly became stars, this was it. With Nigel McGuinness and good, ol’ J.R. calling the action, the United Kingdom kids tore Chi-Town to the ground. Combining catch-as-catch-can, technical wrestling, high flying and strong style, Bate and Dunn put on a clinic that should be streamed on a daily loop at the Performance Center. The Bruiserweight struggled to fend off Bate’s jaw-dropping strength, eventually capitalizing on a high-risk dive and hitting the Bitter End to claim the U.K. Championship.
5. Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk (SummerSlam 2013)
The Best in the World versus The Beast. In Lesnar’s best match since returning and Punk’s last great match, these two athletes tore the house down in a fantastic big man-little man brawl. With one eye on Heyman, Punk told an enthralling story of trying to get his hands on his weasel ex-manager hiding behind the unstoppable monster. Of course, the Beast Incarnate does not allow for happy endings.
4. John Cena vs. CM Punk (February 25, 2013)
In their final match against each other, rivals CM Punk and John Cena tore the house down as they competed to face The Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29. The Straight Edge Superstar had Cena’s number for most of the match, countering every trademark move and submission. Of course, Super Cena wouldn’t stay down, bringing the best out of Punk as well. They kicked out of each other’s finishers, exchanged hold for hold and even busted out new moves (like Punk’s piledriver and Cena’s hurricanrana). It’s one of the greatest matches in Raw history.
3. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada (Dominion 2018)
Even though I’m not a New Japan guy, I would be remiss in not listing the fourth and final encounter between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada. Dave Meltzer gave it an unprecedented seven stars, and most people who’ve seen it consider it the greatest match of all time. After over an hour of thrilling action, Omega finally vanquished his rival for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
2. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI)
Compared to their epic the year prior, this one is less talked about. But we’re only concerned with this decade, so Shawn Michaels’ retirement match (can we forget Crown Jewel?) deserves as much praise as possible. Frustrated over wrestling almost a perfect match last time, Michaels did his best to avoid Undertaker’s signature moves, focusing on the Deadman’s tweaked knee like a shark that smells blood. The crowd gasped after each man kicked out of each other’s finisher, selling in between moves to let the fans digest the unbelievable action. The Heartbreak Kid even kicked out of a tombstone with Undertaker’s tongue out, a surefire sign that the match was over! Finally, HBK gave us one more WrestleMania Moment when he gave the throat slash and slapped Undertaker, prompting the Phenom to spike him with a jumping tombstone for the victory.
1. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn)
A crowd can make or break a match. In this case, the sellout crowd for the first NXT TakeOver outside of Full Sail University elevated a great match into an instant classic.
At the height of her popularity, Bayley exploded onto the stage with her wacky inflatable tube men. Conversely, Sasha Banks enter as the personification of a champion, via an Escalade with security detail. The crowd was split, chanting louder than anytime you’ve heard them on WWE TV since the Attitude Era. Perhaps fearful that she had pushed her innocent foe over the edge, Banks fought dirty, unwrapping Bayley’s hand brace and smashing her hand into the steel steps. The Boss followed up with a swanton to the floor for good measure, popping the crowd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F83EJkAdMwY
Ever the resilient underdog, Bayley mounted a comeback, folding Banks in half with a suplex into the turnbuckle. A Bayley-to-Belly was countered into a single arm DDT, which the champ followed up with the Banks Statement. As Bayley reached for the ropes, Banks viciously stomped her injured hand, illustrating her merciless desire to retain the title. Using Banks’ momentum against her, Bayley countered into her own version of the submission, as the fans hung onto their edge of their seats. After Banks dangled her leg for a rope break, Bayley hit her finisher, only for the champ to kick out.
As they jockeyed for position on the top rope, Bayley unleashed a reverse Frankensteiner, dazing the champion and stunning the crowd. Another Bayley-to-Belly ended up in a three count, as the fans leapt to their feet in celebration over the underdog’s successful journey, a new NXT Women’s Champion, the official launch of the WWE women’s revolution and witnessing the greatest match of the 2010s.
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